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Lapptacken en Kulturskatt (The Quilt: A Cultural Treasure) An Exhibition Review

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From The Quilt Journal - An International Review, Vol. 2, No. 2.

1993

By: Silber, Julie

Editor Notes: Quilt curator, historian and lecturer Julie Silber was one of three guest curators chosen to select works for the exhibition, "Lapptacken en Kulturskatt," mounted in the LiljevalchsKonsthall, Stockholm this past summer. We asked her to give usher impressions of the exhibition, and these follow this introduction. The exhibition included quilts from four countries, Sweden,England, Wales and the United States. Sweden's representation was the largest single group, 142 quilts, a significant step ininvestigating that country's quilting tradition. Great Britainalone among European nations had until recently given itsquilting tradition serious attention. Sweden with this exhibitionjoins Holland (See The Quilt Journal, Volume 1, Number 1, 1992, "A New World in the Old: European Quilt Scholarship.")in what will be a growing trend internationally to survey quilting history. There was no attempt made by the organizers ofthis exhibition to satisfy an overall theme, or to draw specific thematic conclusions from the material shown. However, asmore such international exhibitions are mounted, we will havethe opportunity to compare different traditions. It is axiomatic that significant insights will result.

Author Notes: Julie Silber graduated with a BA in American History fromthe University of Michigan in 1969. For the last twelve years, she has served as curator of the Esprit Quilt Collection. Julie has written and lectured widely on the subject of Amish quilts. With Pat Ferrero, Julie co-produced the films, "Quilts in Women'sLives," and "Hearts and Hands." She is co-author of the book Hearts and Hands, The Influence of Women and Quilts on American Society, and of Amish: The Art of the Quilt. Exhibitions she has curated include "Quilts in Women's Lives," "American Quilts: A Handmade Legacy," and "Amish: The Art of the Quilt." Julie is currently curating traveling exhibitions of Amish and other American quilts.